Program Specialist, Ocean Bridge

Ocean Wise Conservation Association is looking for a Program Specialist to support the delivery of an innovative and engaging national youth service initiative focused on youth leadership & development, instilling conservation ethics, and inspiring a culture of service for ocean health. The Program Specialist works directly with young professionals (aged 18-30) and empowers them through 1:1 coaching calls, resources, knowledge and skills to take action for a healthy, flourishing ocean.

Mainly remote work - successful candidate can be located anywhere in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, or Northwest Territories. Preferably Ontario.

Please visit the Career page on the Ocean Wise website for the full Program Specialist job posting.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:  

This position supports the delivery of an innovative and engaging national youth service initiative focused on youth leadership & development, instilling conservation ethics, and inspiring a culture or service for ocean health. The program specialist works directly with youths and young professionals (aged 18 to 30), including those from marginalized and racialized communities, during bi-weekly 1:1 coaching calls to empower youth ambassadors with the resources, knowledge and skills to take action for a healthy, flourishing ocean. This position ensures youth-led service activities are well planned, delivered on time, within budget and are aligned with Ocean Wise values and conservation priorities. The program specialist also facilitates youths’ participation in distance-learning activities and co-leads immersive learning journeys informed by experiential and place-based education. 

We are recruiting for four full-time contract positions starting April 1st and ending Oct 29th 2022, with possible extension dependent on funding. While Ocean Wise headquarters are located in Vancouver, BC, the work location for each position will be determined by the needs of program. We are seeking applications from across Canada coast-to-coast. 

POSITION OUTCOMES  

• Coach 12 to 20 youths (aged 18-30), per cohort, during their 6-month Ocean Bridge service placement including guidance with goal setting, project ideation, planning, and delivery.  
• Support ambassadors in engaging 50 local volunteers to participate in their ocean service initiatives.  
• Ensure youth ambassadors achieve and log 300 personal service hours and 200 collective service hours by their local peers. 
• Share youths’ achievements in ocean conservation by coordinating communication of youths’ service initiatives, successes stories and reflections.  
• Assist facilitation of the immersive learning journeys including two 10-day remote trips and one 5-day urban trip.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Providing youth ambassadors individualized coaching to set and achieve personal and professional skill development goals and ocean service goals during their 6-month Ocean Bridge service placement; actively sharing coaching resources and tools with colleagues.   
• Guiding youths as individuals or in teams through the ideation, planning and delivery of ocean service projects ensuring alignment with the organization’s values, mission, and conservation initiatives. 
• Co-leading delivery of service-oriented remote and urban learning journeys following best practices for service-learning, experiential education, and place-based education.  
• Liaising with communications team to identify opportunities to feature youths’ achievements and ensure youths initiatives follow Ocean Wise best of brand principles. 
• Role modeling positive safety culture by adhering to and enforcing the organization’s health & safety policies, risk management plans, and code of conduct. 
• Performing additional duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE  

Personal suitability: You are a highly engaged individual who enjoys interacting with individuals of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and ethnicities. You possess the capacity to tailor your communication to your audience; you are patient, respectful and demonstrate positivity in your day to day interactions with others. You can work independently, with a partner, and as a part of a team. You are flexible, able to respond quickly and adjust to new information and changing conditions or circumstances. You communicate effectively at all levels and always stay respectful and inclusive with colleagues, volunteers, and partners. You have excellent oral and communication skills and are self-motivated and passionate about ocean conservation. 

ABSOLUTES:

• Experience delivering innovative, engaging educational programs; OR Teaching experience with 15-30 year olds; OR volunteer management experience with 15-30 year olds;  
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Studies, or related field; OR 2 years of work experience in youth engagement, education or related field; 
• Respectful and youth-centred student management skills; 
• Proficiency with online learning tools and Microsoft Office products; 
• Ability to work efficiently in a dynamic environment, multitask, respond to time sensitive changes, all while maintain a flexible, positive attitude; 
• Excellent time and task management skills and respect of deadlines; 
• Receives feedback with positive, growth mindset and demonstrates prompt integration of feedback;  
• Ability to observe and assess youth participant behavior and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures;  
• Ability to work well under minimal supervision, self-monitor workload, identify opportunities to collaborate and to take initiative;  
• Strong bilingual skills: French and English (mandatory for Quebec-based positions; beneficial for positions in other regions). 

BENEFICIAL:

• Knowledge of experiential education, service-learning and environmental education; 
• Knowledge of ocean conservation issues, research, and solutions; 
• Knowledge of social justice concepts; 
• Knowledge of Indigenous perspectives, reconciliation, and relationship building; 
• Coaching, facilitation, and group management skills.  

CONVENIENT:

• Familiarity with event planning, project management, or environmental stewardship activities  
• Holds a standard first aid certification; 
• Holds a food handling safety certification; 
• Lives or is willing to live in one of our potential remote learning journey locations: Tadoussac; Manitoulin Island, and Labrador.

VALUES:

Incumbent holds an understanding of the organization’s core values and consistently applies them in their day-to-day role and coaches and teaches others in living and exemplifying these behaviours.  

Collaboration

Works without ego to advance ocean health above all else. Identifies opportunities to work with other internal groups or external organizations where collaboration will result in direct ocean action.  

Actively finds opportunities to collaborate with departmental peers, interdepartmental colleagues, participants, alumni, volunteers, current partners, and potential partners.  

Builds and maintains respectful, reciprocal, and positive relationships with all Ocean Wise employees, participants, alumni, volunteers, existing partners, and potential partners. 

Knowledge 

Possesses the knowledge to do the task at hand, shares information when asked. Has the potential to use knowledge proactively and unlock their potential to be a strong contributor. 

Proactively seeks and shares knowledge within their department, between departments and with participants and alumni.  

Takes initiative to stay informed of current trends and best practices in experiential education, service-learning, youth engagement and ocean conservation.  

Integrity 

Strives to be honest and act with strong moral principles, including proactively addressing social justice issues. Doing the right thing. 

Demonstrates outstanding respect and inclusive communication towards all Ocean Wise employees, participants, volunteers, and partners.  

Models best practices and incorporates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings and teachings into day to day activities and program delivery. 

Consistently applies integrity, vigor, and honesty to their work practices. 

Impact 

Understands how their role supports Ocean Wise as a whole. 

Consistently participates and contributes to staff meetings, town halls and other larger organizational initiatives.  

Proactively aligns day to day activities and programs with organizational goals and initiatives. Be a strong contributor to our culture of knowledge sharing and be proactive at aligning with organizational goals and initiatives.  

Optimism

Approaches their work with a positive attitude, looking for solutions to the serious issues facing the ocean. 

Maintains optimistic, calm, and solution-oriented approach to challenges and in times of change.  

Demonstrates an inclination to uplift their peers and keep a positive, respectful, constructive attitude towards work, the organization, other employees, and participants. 

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit an online application. An Ocean Wise Recruiter will be in touch with you if your skills and qualifications are aligned with the requirements of this position. 

Inclusion and Diversity:  Ocean Wise is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are a company where diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints are valued. Ocean Wise does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, age, ethnic or national origin.

How to apply:

Please apply for the Program Specialist position on the Ocean Wise website at: https://www.ocean.org/careers/